One of the author's better book within the series in my opinion, which is why I gave it a 5 star. However, I really do wish Detective Tidwell and Theodosia would work together, as that would make it much more interesting and exciting than having Theodosia stumble around in the dark guessing a lot of times. ( )

Two annoying things. First, the teashop woman is no detective. She makes horrible assumptions, lies, suppresses evidence in a crime and thinks she's more adept than the police. Second, the author heavily splatters a munificent abundance of splendiferous and majestical adjectives in the conversations.
Sloppy mystery, fun book about tea consumption. I really did find it necessary to sip tea while reading, and I am a coffee fiend. ( )

Theodosia Browning runs a tea shop in Charleston, SC., offering exotic teas and delicious pastries, and also caters. There is a good deal of lore about types of teas and tea-drinking, which I found fascinating. Theodosia also becomes involved in a lot of Charleston events, from boat races to saving hatching turtles. I have read some controversy about the accuracy of her portrayal of Charleston. As a tourist, I found it very evocative, but I leave more definitive discussions to people who know what they are talking about.

The mysteries are generally competent and enjoyable. I stopped reading them because my tolerance for Upper Upper Class people is obviously much less than Laura Childs. I also found the adoration of Browning by her employees a bit cloying. It's gret to be happy at one's job, but at this rate Theodosia will be walking on water.

This volume involves the murder of a prominent Charlestonian by a historic gun, supposedly loaded with blanks, at the start of a boat race. ( )